Türkiye's Energy Reality

Bahçeşehir University President Prof. Dr. Şenay Yalçın said that Türkiye does not have as many alternative energy resources as claimed, and explained Türkiye's energy reality.

Speaking on the "News Bulletin" program on Bloomberg TV, Yalçın gave information about Türkiye's energy problems.

Stating that energy needs determine international relations all over the world, Yalçın noted that Türkiye is 73 percent dependent on foreign sources. Yalçın said, "This dependence frightens us. Especially when we consider the 2023 target, it becomes clear what kind of picture awaits us and what kind of energy needs we have."

THE STATE OF TÜRKİYE'S ALTERNATIVE ENERGY RESOURCES

Stating that even if all alternative energy sources were put into use, Türkiye would still be 73 percent dependent on foreign sources in 2023, Professor Yalçın attributed this to our alternative energy sources not being as efficient as believed. Yalçın said:

""In wind, the potential we can use efficiently amounts to 50 thousand billion kilowatt-hours of power. This means we have energy equivalent to 48 Keban Dams. The wind needs to blow at about 8 meters per second for you to obtain efficient energy. Wind also does not promise much in terms of continuity.
In terms of solar energy, our country is not very rich, but it is considered among the middle-ranking countries. However, if we consider the conversion of solar energy into electrical energy worldwide, the efficiency is not even 20 percent. This of course poses a significant risk. Technologies need to develop.
When we look at hydroelectric power plants, Türkiye is a water-poor country. We are not as rich in water as is thought. Considering its share of total electricity generation, the electricity we obtain from hydroelectric power ranks third after natural gas and coal."

Yalçın concluded by saying, "Perhaps at this point, nuclear energy could be a solution as an alternative."

On nuclear energy, Prof. Dr. Şenay Yalçın said: "Nuclear energy should be considered from two perspectives: first, in meeting Türkiye's energy needs, and second, strategically... Because nuclear technology is an interdisciplinary technology where all engineering sciences intersect. Countries with nuclear energy are considered to have moved up a class. When you look at developed countries, you can see nuclear technology in almost all of them. The time has come to move to nuclear technology. We must move to this technology as soon as possible."

On concerns about the environmental harm of nuclear energy, nuclear energy professor Şenay Yalçın said: "When we calculate the radiation we receive from cosmic rays, the sun and minerals in nature, the radiation from waste ranges between one thousandth and one percent of it. Especially since the reprocessing of waste with new technology began, this rate has decreased even further. The resistance artificially shown by the public toward nuclear energy needs to be overcome. Recently, an unfortunate incident occurred in Korea. Such risks certainly exist, but they are no greater than the risks at other energy facilities."

TÜRKİYE IS AT THE CENTER OF ENERGY LOGISTICS

Yalçın also said something different about geothermal resources. "Türkiye does not have geothermal resources on as large a scale as is said," said President Yalçın, continuing: "Because you need to have a reserve underground at a certain temperature and a certain pressure. When we consider Türkiye, we have a certain potential, but we do not have a potential that can generate electricity to solve our energy problems. However, you can easily use that energy to heat cities. Perhaps we cannot generate electricity, but you can use it for other purposes."

Prof. Dr. Şenay Yalçın stated that Türkiye is a country right in the middle of energy logistics and that this is very important for our country. Yalçın said, "Türkiye is close to 68 percent of natural gas reserves. Türkiye may be poor in natural gas, but it is at the point of controlling the flow of oil and natural gas. It is in the middle of energy logistics. At this point, by making special plans for storage, transport and sales, we can become a country that sells oil and natural gas."

Finally, asked "Is there hope for oil in the Black Sea?" Yalçın stated that this would be possible with new technologies.